Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

them; and at the close we have something | accident, from a soil that was cultivated for a more valuable crop.

like a synopsis, which cannot fail greatly to assist the memory in retaining the substance of what the volume contains.

This latter, we cannot but think an admirable method, that might be adopted with much advantage in many modern publications, especially such as are drawn out in a prosing manner to an immoderate length. In the technicalities of creed, the synopsis is less objectionable than the treatise. The objections are fairly stated, and as fairly met; and notwithstanding the observations we have in justice been compelled to make, we think that by all who feel a sincere desire to know their spiritual condition, no one can peruse this work without deriving from it much important instruction on the most 'momentous branches of Christian knowledge.

The preliminary essay by Dr. Chalmers, seriously recommends, and strongly enforces, the duty of self-examination. This he urges by a variety of motives, arising from our fallen condition, the moral obligations we are under to God, and those promises of grace to help in time of need, with which the scriptures abound. The topics to which self-examination should be directed, Dr. C. has brought before us in great variety, extending to our actions, our thoughts, and our desires. With an eye to this, he strongly recommends Mr. Guthrie's "Christian's great Interest," as admirably fitted to assist the honest inquirer in his search. From this opinion we think there cannot be a dissenting voice, and therefore, by reprinting this treatise, the publishers have added as much to the value as to the number of their "Select Christian Authors."

REVIEW.-The Parent's Monitor, or Narratives, Anecdotes, and Observations on religious Education and personal Piety. By David Barker. 12mo. pp. 376. Baynes. London. 1827. To blend instruction with delight, is an art in book-making, which few authors have the happiness to attain. Many have made the perilous attempt, but their efforts, peeping through the disguise in which they fancied their ingenuity would be concealed, their purposes have been defeated by the methods they adopted to ensure success. This does not appear to have been the case with the compiler of the volume before us. His aim was utility. To compass this, he has introduced variety; and a fund of entertainment seems to have sprung up by

In this work, Mr. Barker lays little or no claim to originality. He admits, that, for what he presents to the reader, he is indebted to other publications, from which he has made selections, the whole of which concentrate their contributions in these points-the durability of early impressions, and the importance of a religious education.

The work is divided into three parts, which may be denominated biographical, influential, and miscellaneous. Under the first of the preceding terms, he has given brief memoirs of twenty-six distinguished individuals, whose usefulness through life may be traced to the serious impressions made upon their minds through religious education in their early years. The second part furnishes thirteen examples in which the pious exertions, patient labours, and fervent prayers of parents for their children, and of instructors for those committed to their care, have, through unremitting perseverance, been crowned with success. The third part contains, according to many eminent persons, the principles on which a religious education ought to be conducted, accompanied with numerous observations, suggested by experience, and dictated by an intimate acquaintance with human nature, and an ardent love for souls.

In the selections which constitute this volume, the compiler has shewn much judgment, having fortified his leading sentiments by an appeal to numerous authors, all of whom, how diversified soever in their expressions, concur in the grand result, and support his fundamental propositions with an accumulation of evidence that cannot fail to force conviction on the mind. In collecting and combining these together, the compiler's industry and perseverance are not less conspicuous than sacked many volumes, and have passed He must have ranhis judicious care. over a vast quantity of unappropriate matter, to reach what he has embodied in the pages before us.

In some few instances, perhaps, the questions presumed to be put to children are too painful, of which one example occurs in p. 187, where little Anna is charged with loving her mother more than God, because she could not say that she should love God the more for taking away her mother by death. This is "a test for human frailty too severe. Instances, however, of this kind, are of rare occurrence; and when we weigh against them, the number and value of those sentiments

in which all concur, we are not disposed to start them from their lonely, and, peradventure, unobserved retreats.

From a work of this kind quotations are not to be expected; and if given, they could furnish no specimen of talent or use, beyond what their sentences convey. To parents, to teachers in Sunday-schools, and to young persons in general, this book will be found highly valuable for the wholesome instruction it contains, notwithstanding occasional anomalies; and this will be heightened by the rational entertainment, which to all juvenile readers, a perusal of its pages will afford.

[blocks in formation]

AN hebdomadal critic has been exceedingly severe in his castigation of the volume before us, and has very unnecessarily hurt the feelings of the fair authoress, whom we doubt not to be a pious and amiable person; but she must use caution in coming again before the bar of the public. With every wish to respect her motives in publishing the present volume, we are nevertheless unable to allow her any high claims to the envied appellation of Poetess. Yet we blame not her, but the excessive folly of her friends-for

-"Till the year 1821, she had not the most distant idea that the construction of a single verse fell within her powers; [and in 1827, she might have partially retained the same opinion;] but the remarks of a highly esteemed friend, who casually, but positively insisted that it did, induced her to make the first effort."-As usual, it goes on to inform the public, that it is indebted for this volume to the importunity of friends, &c. However, we willingly bear testimony to the good-feeling generally pervading the volume, and only wish that she had given it in prose, to which the following bears a striking resemblance :

"I pause, and overpowered with the theme, Almost inquire its truth. Say, can it be That dust and poverty may be allied

PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE METROPOLIS.

IN former years, when the amiable spirit of benevolence was less diffused throughout the British metropolis, the month of May was sufficient for all its anniversaries. April and June were afterwards added, and it is highly probable that the period is not remote when more time will be required than all the days of these months can afford. At present, several meetings are held on the same day, and occasionally during the same hour, on which account public attention is divided, and several excellent institutions remain unsanctioned with the presence of individuals by whose personal attendance their interests would have been essentially promoted. But no want of honourable countenance or pecuniary assistance has been experienced in any department; and notwithstanding they have been numerous, and attended with expense, it will be difficult to find an instance where the rooms have not been crowded, and the contributions not exceedingly liberal.

Several of these meetings we have attended, and with feelings of pleasure have observed the interest the speakers have excited by their manly, eloquent, and animating addresses. A simultaneous impulse appeared to pervade the assemblies, when any statements were given that shewed the march of benevolence, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. In these mighty considerations the localities of sect and party seemed to be. forgotten, and nothing perhaps can tend more than these meetings to dissipate that spirit of bigotry which has so long prevailed, and to introduce among the members of different churches, the powerful influence of unanimity and love.

The chairman

The City-road chapel, at the anniversary of the WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, was crowded to excess. paid a well-deserved and becoming tribute of respect to the memory of the late Joseph Butterworth, Esq. Several excellent speeches were delivered, and although the meeting continued from eleven in the

To grandeur so sublime? Can the meagre child morning until nearly five in the afternoon,

Of squalid want and misery, be heir

To riches so immense? Consoling fact;
The word declares he may, and full reveals
The gracious glorious source!"

p. 15.

The articles included in this volume are thirty-five in number, exhibiting versification in several varieties, from which some harmonious lines might be selected; but in none of her effusions has the muse taken any elevated flights.

no one seemed tired, nor was an intimation given that it continued too long. The collections on that occasion, and in the different chapels connected with this institution, on the preceding days, in the metropolis, amounted to about £1,300. The annual receipts were about £45,380.

At the anniversary of the BIBLE SOCIETY, the statements were clear and

comprehensive, but the unhappy altercations to which the circulation of the Apocrypha had given birth, was still felt on their pecuniary resources. During the addresses that were delivered, some little confusion was experienced by the appearance of the Rev. Mr. Irving, who attempted to enter his protest against the circulation of the apocryphal writings. On gaining a hearing, the reverend gentleman submitted to the meeting the following propositions. 1. That the committee should publicly express their sorrow for having applied the funds of the society to the publication of these uncanonical writings. 2. That in future no one should be a member of the committee, unless he had previously set his face against these spurious compositions. 3. That Bibles with the Apocrypha should not be circulated until all places were supplied that would receive the Bible without this adulteration. He was after some time heard with attention, but his observations having been made, the meeting proceeded in its usual course.

At the anniversary of the LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, the information communicated, excited an uncommon degree of interest; particularly those branches which related to the changes that had been wrought among the inhabitants of the islands in the Pacific ocean. To this vast moral revolution the history of the world can furnish no parallel.

The SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, held at the City of London Tavern, was most numerously attended. Though so early as six in the morning, perhaps about 1,100 sat down to breakfast. The chair was taken about seven, and the meeting continued until about ten. The report, both written and oral, was highly satisfactory. From the statements given it appears, that school education is rapidly extending over a considerable portion of the globe. Ireland, poor priest - ridden Ireland, seemed to form the principal exception. The details given in relation to that unhappy country, demand the sigh of pity, and the hiss of indignation. But it was evident that the barriers established by the enemies of religious knowledge, had, in many instances, been broken down, and that light was beaming over this region of darkness,

The CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, found, among the clergy and others, many powerful advocates. Its utility was made apparent to every hearer; much good during the past year having arisen from its active operations. Supported by men of wealth and influence, its resources are

ample, and it is pleasing to add, that they are employed in a manner creditable to the managers, and advantageous to the miserable inhabitants of countries on which the sun of Revelation has never diffused its sacred beams.

The MORAVIAN MISSIONS proceed with their usual unassuming spirit of perseverance, and characteristic usefulness, among the scattered fragments of the human family. In their endeavours to progagate the pure principles of the gospel, and to implant vital Christianity in the heart, they have always been indefatigable, and the great Head of the church has crowned their efforts with much success.

Of the BRITISH and FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY, the anniversary was numerously attended. Through the instrumentality of its system, knowledge has been happily diffused, accompanied by the establishment of moral principle, which alone can render knowledge beneficial to mankind. The agency of this system was shewn to be powerful in its energies, and diffusive in its operation, and from its continued extension we may hope to see its effects in every quarter of the world, in a more conspicuous manner, when those who now receive instruction in their childhood, shall come to maturity, and spread among succeeding generations the prin ciples which they are taught to imbibe.

At the anniversary of the "PROTESTANT SOCIETY for the Protection of RELIGIOUS LIBERTY," Viscount Milton took the chair, The meeting was much crowded, by a highly respectable company of ladies and gentlemen. The speeches were animated and enlivening. The subjects brought under review were calculated to excite interest, and the manner in which they were introduced could not fail to keep attention alive. Of local oppression some instances were stated, which the laws of our country refused to sanction; and others were mentioned, in which the interposition of this society sheltered the defenceless from the menaces of provincial despotism. The efforts that had been made, and that were still making, to procure a repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, engrossed a considerable share of attention; and although doubts were entertained of immediate success in the present state of things in the political world, it was thought expedient that every effort should be made by appealing to the legislature; and all were confident that perseverance in exertion would ultimately triumph. To the brilliant speeches deli

vered at this meeting, it will be impossible to do justice within the limits that bound our survey; but the best substitute we can devise, may be found in the following epitome of the resolutions that were passed

on the occasion:

1. That this Meeting deem it their duty to renew their avowal of the principles they have often promulgated, and to which they adhere: That it is the unalienable right of every man to worship God as his judgment and his heart direct. II. That this Meeting regret that in England, at the present period, so many cases still annually require the attention of this Society-and that riots-and disturbances of worship-assessments to the poor's rate-claims of turnpike tolls-refusals of marriage and interment-illegal pecuniary demands-and many acts of intolerance and oppression, should yet demonstrate the utility of the Institution, and require its continued support.

III. That this Meeting learn with sorrow that the lamented indisposition of the Earl of Liverpool, and various political events, during the present session of parliament, have prevented those strenuous efforts for the relief of the Baptist denomination from various special evils to which they are exposed, and for the establishment of a new system of registration of births, which the imperfection and injustice of the existing laws clearly require :-and, that the Committee be instructed to take the earliest fit opportunity to obtain for those matters that attention, from the legislature and government, which they truly

deserve.

IV. That, they partake the sorrow felt by those who perceive still in Spain, and even in some Protestant Cantons of Switzerland, an intolerant

and persecuting spirit;-but are cheered by the
successful resistance made in France to attempts
at its revival in that country-and rejoice that
in the vast continent of America, the principles
of religious liberty appear to be understood and
upheld.
V. That the conduct of the Committee, in the
attention they have invited to a general appli-
cation for relief from the Corporation and Test
Acts-and the Resolutions circulated by them,
are highly approved by this Meeting.-That they
gladly offer their thanks to the body of Deputies,
and to the very estimable Ministers of the three
Denominations, and to all other Societies who
have assisted the cause by their labours and

advice. And also present grateful acknowledg

ments to LORD JOHN RUSSEL, M.P. and those

other noble and eminent personages, who have expressed their approval of the attempt, and their

assurance of support.

VI. That they present to the Committee during the past year their tribute of praise, and hope that an increased number of Congregations will supply the small annual contribution which alone is required:-and that the Committee for the ensuing year consist of the Treasurer, to be

chosen by the Committee of the Secretarieses and of twenty-four Gentlemen, (whose names were mentioned,) being Ministers and Laymen in equal proportions.

VII. That the memory of ROBERT STEVEN, Esq. the late valuable and departed Treasurer, will be long and truly revered and that by his indefatigable and beneficent labours for the improve. ment of Ireland-for the circulation of the Scriptures-for the diffusion of the Gospel by the Missionary Society, throughout the world-and for the protection of Religious Freedom, he has deserved and obtained just distinction and an honourable fame!

VIII. That to their useful and disinterested Honorary Secretaries, THOMAS PELLATT and JOHN WILKS, Esqrs. they would also respectfully and affectionately reiterate their thanks-and entreat them to continue their services.

MILTON, CHAIRMAN.

their noble and illustrious Chairman, ViSCOUNT

IX. That the Meeting delight to express to

MILTON, M. P. for the County of YORK, their gratitude and respect.

Of many other religious and benevolent institutions, not less interesting than those we have named, the anniversaries were held in April and May, and several others will be celebrated during the present month. Taking them in the aggregate, they amount to nearly one hundred, so that their mere names will furnish a catalogue too voluminous for our pages. From the few, however, that have been mentioned, the spirit in which they have been conducted may be gathered, and taking them as a specimen, the general character of the whole may be inferred. For this noble diffusion of benevolent feeling we are indebted to Christianity.

Among the new institutions of May, the establishment of a "SoCIETY for the Promotion of the PRINCIPLES of the REFORMATION," may be deemed the most important. The meeting was convened by public advertisement, at Freemasons' Hall on Monday the 21st. Lord Mandeville was called to the chair. Two bishops and several earls were present, and the large room was filled at an early hour with a highly respectable company. The design of the society, as its name imports, is to support the great doctrines and principles that were established at the Reformation, in opposition to the efforts now making, by popish intrigue, to accomplish their subversion. Few can be ignorant of what Catholic emancipation means. It is political power; and in the estimation of many who demand it, it can than in the extermination of those prinnever be more meritoriously exercised ciples which unveiled its_deformity, and loaded it with chains. To prevent this ascendancy is one great object of the society; another is, to defend those principles which have been transmitted to us through the blood of our ancestors, and assailed; and finally, to protect those who to expose the sorceries by which they are may throw off the papal yoke, and embrace Protestantism.

GLEANINGS.

The Caledonian Asylum.-The ceremonial of laying the first stone of the building to be erected for this Asylum, on the New North-road, leading from Battle-bridge to Holloway, took place on the 17th ult. in the presence of a numerous and respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. At two o'clock, the brethren of the Masonic fraternity, and the officers of the Caledonian Asylum, assembled at the Copenhagen Tavern, Maiden-lane; from which, upon the arrival of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, M. W. Grand

As

Master, and his Grace the Duke of Leinster, M. W. Grand Master of Ireland, they walked in procession to the site of the intended building; the brethren proceeding first, in due order, wearing the insignia of their order, and bearing their respective banners, implements, &c., and followed by the various officers and boys of the institution; the whole preceded by appropriate music. soon as the procession reached the ground, where the spectators were assembled on temporary benches ranged around the foundation stone, his Royal Higness, aided by the Duke of Leinster and others, went through the customary forms of depositing the coins, and the copy of the act of incorporation, and of the laws of the society; and adjusting the stone and proving its position. Being satisfied in these particulars, his Royal Highness gave the stone three knocks with the mall, (the same used by Sir Christopher Wren on laying the foundation stone of St. Paul's' Cathedral,) and having strewed the corn and poured the wine and oil over the stone, he delivered the plan of the building, together with the several tools used in proving the position of the stone, to Mr. Tappen, the architect, desiring him to proceed forthwith to the completion of the work. At the commencement of the ceremony, a suitable inscription, engraven on the brass plate to be deposited in the foundation stone, was read by the Grand Secretary; and the whole was concluded by an appropriate address spoken by his Royal Highness the Grand Master. The spectacle altogether was extremely interesting, the costume of the Masonic fraternity, and of several of the vice-presidents and stewards of the institution, who wore the full Highland garb, imparting to it a gay and picturesque appearance, which greatly enhanced its effect.

At six o'clock most of the members of the society attended the anniversary dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern, his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex in the chair, supported by Lord Saulton, Lord Dundas, Sir William Cumming, Sir John Doyle, and other gentlemen of rank. The Royal Chairman kept the spirit of the proceeding fully alive, by various interesting addresses, all of them strongly and feelingly enforcing the claims and advantages of this very excellent institution, the object of which is to support and educate the children of soldiers, sailors, and mariners, natives of Scotland, who have died or been disabled in the service of their country, and of indigent Scotch parents resident in London, and not entitled to parochial relief. The boys, as usual, marched round the room, habited in the Highland dress, and preceded by a Highland bag-piper, each of them bearing testimony, in his healthy and contented countenance, to the care paid to his comfort and improvement. The subscriptions announced by the treasurer amounted to 1,3002.

Gretna Green Certificate.-The following is a copy of a Gretna Green marriage certificate, in the original spelling:-" This to sartafy all persons concernid, that Andro Black from the paris of Clunie, Aberdinshre, and Marget Grem from the same place, both cam before me, and declared themselves both to be single persons, and now mayried by the form of the Kirk of Scotland, and agreible to the church of England, and givin ondre my haud this 18th day of March 1775."

Good Friday as observed in Colombia-(From Captain Cochrane's Travels.)-Went to the church about eight o'clock in the evening, with Col. Rieux. The curate, a young man, preached with great energy, and violent gesticulations, in a sing-song tone. The majority of the audience was women, and the church so excessively crowded, that we could only obtain entrance through the vestry, and might be said to be behind the scenes. Hence we saw a figure, represented on a cross, and intended for our Saviour, which was veiled from the rest of the congregation by a dark curtain. The preacher having arrived at the proper part of the sermon, describing the agonies of Christ, stamped his feet and at the second stamp the sombre veil fell from before the figure, whilst a discharge of cannon

..........

without announced the supposed convulsion of nature; and the apparently bleeding figure, surrounded by numerous lights, was suddenly exposed to the general gaze. The effect of this performance was so successful, that many of the females shrieked and fainted. Shortly after, the figure was taken down, and carried to a sepulchre, gaily adorned, having the representation of a Roman sentinel sitting on the top. After the sermon, Col. Rieux and myself walked into the body of the church, and were immediately presented with long wax tapers, intimating the necessity of joining the procession about to pass through the town; to which we did not object, as it afforded us the opportunity of seeing the whole population of the place, ranged on either side of the streets through which we passed. The beauty of the sex did not appear very conspicuous on this occasion. The procession was also graced by the guard of the sepulchre, dressed in white jackets, blue trowsers covered with black crape, and dark veils concealing the face. They had high conical caps, with long feathers hanging over them, which only needed bells to complete the tout-en-semble, and to afford a lively representation of Tom Fool's Cap. They were armed with lances and swords. clothed with a white shroud was performing penance, which consisted in keeping his arm extended, as in the act of offering something contained in a glass, and intended to represent the nauseous liquor presented to our Saviour. I observed that he had a stick passed through his sleeve, so as to support his arm. He, as well as the guards, marched backwards with a kind of pantomimic step.

A man

Wash for the Teeth and Gums. One-fourth ounce of camphire, one pint of the best brandy, (or malt whiskey); put one tea-spoonful of the mixture to half a pint of soft water, and it is fit for use. Do not use a hard brush, the softer the brush the better; those brushes which have a bit of sponge fixed to their backs should be used.

Legal Gratitude.-A wealthy lawyer lately left a legacy to the house of Bedlam, and, being asked the reason, said, he had got his money by fools and madmen, and thought it but fair to leave them a portion of it at his death.

Interment of the Dead among the Natives of New South Wales.-(By the Rev. L. E. Threlkeld.) -The blacks asked me to go to see an interment of a woman who died yesterday. They borrowed spades to dig the grave, and when completed, put some sticks at the bottom to raise the head, and covered the whole with boughs very neatly. Three men stood in the grave, and an old woman stooped down to the corpse, which was wrapped in sheets of bark; she opened the part over the ear, and spoke to the dead body, saying, "Boang-ka-leah, boang-ka-leah, weah-lah ngaahrun; buhn, buhn, buhn, wonnun ngaan bah unte kaploah;" which, rendered into English, is, "Stand up, stand up speak to us, kiss, kiss, kiss, whenever we pass thi place." The corpse was then put into the hands of the three men in the grave, who deposited it carefully on the green boughs, amidst the howl that was instantaneously set up when the body was received by them; this cry continued until the grave was filled, when a man swept it very carefully with a branch. A stick with which she used to walk was stuck upright on the grave, just over her head, which concluded the ceremony. The stick is put there for her use when she rises from the dead, but when that will be, they do not as yet know. Many, no doubt, are buried alive; for as they were binding her up in the bark yesterday, making great lamentation, perceiving a pulsation in the neck, I requested them to desist, and pouring a few spoonfuls of wine down her throat, she so far recovered as to be able to speak, but nature was too much exhausted; she appeared starved, and in the afternoon she expired. Their state is most deplorable when in sickness, and many, I feel persuaded, perish from want, in the midst of this civilized Christian people, who are the possessors of their land, and the involuntary destroyers of their food.

The Plough and the Fiddle.-The question of productive and unproductive labour is thus stated

« AnteriorContinuar »